Episode 24. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “Apostasy? Can you lose your salvation? Or were you never really saved to begin with? Respected Christians are on both sides of this debate so how should it be taught in church?”

Scripture references:  2 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 21:21; Hebrews 6:4-8; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:15-16; Romans 10:13; 1 John 5:13

The Greek word apostasia is used two times: “a falling away, defection, apostasy”

• 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – a falling away (KJV) “apostasy” (NAS) “rebellion” (ESV)

Similar word apostasion is used three times: “1. divorce, repudiation; 2. a bill of divorce”

• Matthew 5:31, Matthew 19:7, Mark 10:4 – all used when Jesus was addressing the issues of marital divorce

Based on this, apostasy is leaving the faith. Rejection of Christ. Rebellion against God.  It is the opposite of repentance (turning from sin to Christ).  Apostasy is turning away from Christ to sin.

Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Episode 23.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of the Word.

• Bible Reading Plans

• Use Martin Luther’s Method:

1. Instruction – What does this passage tell me to do?

• ESV app

• Recommended Reading on our website

• The Gospel Coalition free courses

• Charles Simeon Trust courses

• For the Church Institute courses

• Help Me Teach the Bible with Nancy Guthrie podcast

• Knowing Faith podcast

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 22.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines and we are starting with the discipline of the Word.

• What is the biblical basis for devoting ourselves to the discipline of the Word?

Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney

Scripture References:  Psalm 119, Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 3:14-16

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 21. This is a sermon follow up episode from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on February 11, 2024 on Mark 6:30-44, "A Compassionate Shepherd." 

Do you have questions? You can submit them on our website at www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Episode 20.  In this episode, we are introducing a series of Theology Talks over the next several episodes on spiritual disciplines. What do we mean by spiritual disciplines? What is the biblical basis for why we should commit ourselves to spiritual disciplines? What are some spiritual disciplines?

Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney

Scripture Reference:  1 Timothy 4:7

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Episode 19. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: "What is your take on head coverings and the cutting of hair?"  Pastor Zach explains the use of hermeneutics (the right interpretation of Scripture) and how to use the COMA method.  

C - Context

O - Observation 

M - Meaning

A - Application

Scripture references:  1 Corinthians 11:2-6

Recommended resources:  Bible Study: A Student's Guide

Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Episode 18. This is a sermon follow up episode from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on January 21, 2024 on Mark 6:14-29. 

Do you have questions? You can submit them on our website at www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Episode 17.  In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener, “How do you answer someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus but is hurt by the church or refuses to gather with the church?”

Scripture references:

• Hebrews 10:25

Book recommendation: 

• Called to Stay: An Uncompromising Mission to Save Your Church by Caleb Breakey

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

This episode is a Theology Talk on church covenant. What is a church covenant? What is the purpose of a church covenant? 

MVBC's Church Covenant -  www.machiasvalley.org/about

Book Recommendation:

I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thom Rainer

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Episode 15. We recently wrapped up a sermon series on the book of Ruth here at MVBC. In this episode, Pastor Zach recaps the entire story of Ruth and gives us two major takeaways from this Old Testament book of the Bible.

• Chapter 1 - Story about a family from Bethlehem

Two Takeaways from the book of Ruth:

1. God can work through the most broken and dark periods in your life. He can redeem even the most broken situations.

2. The true Redeemer in Bethlehem is Jesus, who like Ruth, repent and follow the Lord.

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC